Summary: Lily is an intelligent Ravenclaw prefect who struggles against the affections of a certain James Potter. But what Lily will discover is that the logic and ration she holds to be true don't figure into the equation when thinking of the Gryffindor Prefect
A/N: A random fic-let written during an all-nighter. I was just thinking about what Lily would have been like as a Ravenclaw, and this little thing was born. I would appreciate all comments so I know if I should continue. Oh, and I realise that it may be unrealistic to assume all Ravenclaws would actually be like this, but trust me, I know people who actually think this way. Thanks!
Disclaimer: Not mine! Honest! *points finger at J K Rowling* She did it!
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Probability
Chapter One: Incompatible?
" Class dismissed," Professor McGonagall said crisply. " Black, Pettigrew, stay behind to discuss your detention."
The class filed out slowly, shooting furtive glances at the pair making their way to McGonagall's desk. While Peter Pettigrew's face was a picture in despair, Sirius Black practically bounded to the front, picking up the remains of the Filibuster Firework he had attached to the transfigured salamander.
Remus Lupin stopped outside the classroom door and leaned against the frame. " Not one of our most imaginative pranks, but entertaining nonetheless," he sighed, turning to his friend.
James Potter nodded distractedly, his eyes on the retreating figures of his classmates. " Too bad McGonagall had to walk in when he let it off."
Lupin peered inside the classroom. " She's really letting Sirius have it. Looks like this'll be a long lecture today." He slouched down against the wall and settled himself in for the wait.
James remained where he was, fidgeting awkwardly with his hands in his pockets, neck craned towards the staircase.
Lupin raised his eyebrow. " You might as well take a seat. McGonagall's going through the Charter for the Magical Protection of Animals' clause by clause."
His words seemed to have vaguely registered with his friend, as he turned to look into the classroom. " You're right," he murmured, stepping away from the frame. He stood quietly for a moment, either deep in thought or intently examining his shoes. Suddenly his head snapped up and he spun on his heel, racing towards the staircase.
" Hey!" Remus cried after him, launching himself off the wall. " Where are you going?"
" To talk to someone!" James called over his shoulder as he disappeared down the stairs.
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James ran down the stairs two at a time, trying to ignore the rapid beating of his heart. Come on Prongs,' he urged himself. You can do this.'
As he raced in the direction of the Charms corridor — How pathetic is it that you know her timetable?' he thought — he tried to summon a vestige of courage. Come on, James! You've barrelled past Bludgers without batting an eyelid, you've faced down a werewolf for Severus Snape and you became an Animagus for your best friend. Asking out one girl shouldn't be that hard.'
One girl?' the other part of his mind argued. She's not just any girl. She's different. She's sweet and smart and so much more than you deserve.' James felt his mouth go dry as he thought of her, of that petite form that was filled with so much intelligence and determination. Every move she made was purposeful and direct, every comment she made in class intelligent and perceptive. And that laugh! That wry sense of humour that only those close to her were gifted with. She was pretty; not in-your-face gorgeous but the natural, approachable type of beauty.
James dodged past some Hufflepuff first-years, and took a flying leap to avoid the outstretched leg a Slytherin extended his way. How could you have missed her for six years?' he admonished himself. He'd noticed her at a distance, of course — her red hair was hard to miss against the black of her robes — but it was only since they had both been made Prefects that he had started to get to know the pretty Ravenclaw. And the more about her he knew, the more he liked her.
As he rounded a corner, he caught sight of auburn hair coiled into a braid. He skidded to a halt and, ignoring the protests of the people he pushed past, wove his way through the Ravenclaws. " Lily!" he yelled. " Hey, Lily Evans!"
She turned, and as her green eyes fell on him he felt his heart beat accelerate. She smiled briefly in greeting, transferring her books to one hand so she could give him a quick wave. " Hello James."
He stepped close to her, realising that his hands were shaking. Pathetic, Prongs.' He stuffed them in his pockets, and smiled nervously at her.
She looked at him expectantly. " Did you want something?"
He cleared his throat. " Yeah, um, actually, I did. I need to ask you something." Smooth, Potter, really smooth. Add anymore grunts and you'd practically be a Neanderthal.'
Her smile was apologetic. " I'm sorry James, but I'm late for Charms. Could this wait until later?" She turned and began to walk away.
He swore under his breath, and jogged to her side. " Well it is sort of important." To me, anyway.' She was rifling through her notes for Charms, her attention on balancing the books in her arms, so he took a deep breath and ploughed ahead. " Will you go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend?"
Her stride faltered mid-second, but she continued walking only faster, tucking her books under her arm. " Are you asking me out?" she asked bluntly, looking straight ahead.
His breath caught in his throat. " Yes, I am," he stated with more confidence than he felt, matching her stride.
She stopped and turned to face him. " Then I'm sorry, but no." She turned on her heel and began to walk again.
He blinked at the abruptness of her actions, and moved to follow her. " Can I ask why not?" Do I really want the reasons for my rejection listed?' he asked himself.
" We're completely incompatible," she stated firmly, speeding up.
James' eyes widened at the finality of her statement. " Don't you think that's a bit presumptuous?" he asked, following behind her. " You don't really know me!"
" And you don't really know me, so you can't claim that my claim is presumptuous at all," she argued, deftly twisting away from the hand he reached towards her.
This can't be happening,' he thought in disbelief. " I'm not asking you to marry me Lily, I'm just asking you to get to know me. And if after that you still think we're incompatible, then so be it!"
She shook her head insistently. " But I already know we're incompatible!"
James was completely and utterly baffled. " How?"
She threw her free hand up in an indicative gesture towards him. " Look at you! Look at me! Any relationship between the pair of would be completely and utterly illogical!"
James shook his head as he fought to catch up with her. How could he now hate the rhetoric he had so admired about her? He didn't understand how she could presume that they would clash so terribly without even really knowing him. He jogged in front of her and stopped, forcing her to as well. " Explain." She tried to move around him, but his hands went to her shoulders to still her. " Please. I just want to know why you'd think this."
Lily sighed and shifted her weight to her other foot. " The odds on a successful relationship between a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor are extremely slim, James, and that's without taking into account the other factors."
" Other factors?" he repeated, not sure if he really wanted to know.
She sighed again. " By bringing in our remarkably different temperaments, work ethics and hobbies the probability is greatly reduced. You're a prankster and I'm just a regular student. You're a slacker and I'm a hard worker. You play Quidditch and I study." She shrugged helplessly. " Even without precise calculations I'd still wager that the probability would be slim to none."
He shook his head. " But you don't even know me," he murmured softly, disappointment setting in.
" What's your favourite colour?" she asked, looking at him expectantly.
" What?"
" Colour. What's your favourite colour?" she repeated.
The intelligence he had so praised now had him baffled. " Green," he said uncertainly, staring down into her lovely eyes.
" I like yellow. What's your favourite Quidditch team?"
He supposed he would feel a whole lot worse about this if he weren't so confused by her logic. " The Wasps."
" I like the Cannons," she said, shrugging as if to say I told you so'. " If I asked you a million questions, nothing would be the same. We're incompatible."
" So that's a definite no' to Hogsmeade," he muttered under his breath, trying not to let the aching disappointment and hurt show on his face. " Will you at least be watching the Quidditch game this weekend?"
" Oh no," she said, shaking her head. " I never watch Quidditch games. That's the best time to go to the library."
" The library," he repeated in disbelief. I know the cold shoulder when I see it,' he thought ruefully, head lowered
She began to walk again, but slowly. " I'm sorry James. I think you're really nice but"
He didn't follow. " I know, it's illogical." She smiled briefly, and hurried away.
It was only after she disappeared down the corridor that he realised he was late for Potions.
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